After earning a diploma from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul, in 1998 Hakaan Yildirim (1971) won first prize in the Young Fashion Designers Contest hosted by the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters Association.

Then he worked with Turkish designers for several years before moving to London, where he launched his brand HAKAAN and presented his first collection during Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010, with the support of photographer Mert Alas.

HAKAAN combines the creative vision and expertise of both men, Mert Alas, creative director of the brand, Hakaan, designer.

Sparing in his color choices and very exacting in the quality of his materials, he defines his esthetic as follows: « I like feminine but contemporary looks that combine highly structural cuts with decorative, quasi-organic detailing. »
Winner of the 2010 edition of the ANDAM Fashion Award, he received 220.000.